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Finance Minister (FM) Pranab Mukherjee does not utter lies. He speaks half truths. Regarding black money stashed in foreign banks he told media that secrecy had to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of the Double Taxation Treaty signed by the Indian government with 23 other countries. The FM told media: “Let us understand the issue. No information can be made available unless there is a legal framework.” What he did not say was that much of the money parked in foreign banks was not related to tax evasion but to crime. There can be no adequate legal framework unless the government launches criminal prosecution against the offenders. In fact the government does not want information from foreign governments. Foreign governments offer information that the Indian government refuses to accept. The German list of 26 names of account holders in Lichtenstein is much talked about. That list has been provided by the Finance Ministry to the Supreme Court (SC). Can the FM confirm under oath that there are not 18 other names on that list that have been withheld from the SC? Can the FM deny that the German authorities are willing to furnish four other lists of account holders in banks outside Lichtenstein which the Indian government has refrained from accepting?

The most glaring case of the government’s cover up of criminal money stashed abroad relates of course to Pune based stud farm owner Hassan Ali Khan. Three years have passed since the discovery of his astronomical amount illegally stashed in foreign banks. In January 2007 raids by the income-tax department revealed he had USD 8 billion deposited in just one account in the UBS AG bank, Zurich. He has several other foreign accounts. He had not filed income-tax returns since 1999. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) started investigation into suspected money laundering. After three years Mukherjee told media last Tuesday that investigations were still continuing. Meanwhile Hassan Ali walks a free man. Meanwhile, Mukherjee disclosed that the 8 billion had been diverted from the Zurich bank to an unknown destination. Regarding information about black money Mukherjee told media: “As and when the Income Tax Authorities will be in a position to prosecute cases against tax evaders you will come to know". Hassan Ali is not a tax evader. His money in foreign banks comes from crime. Credible foreign banking sources have disclosed that in collusion with Saudi arms dealer Adnan Kashogi some of Ali’s money came from gun running. Did Hassan Ali amass billions of USD that attract tax in India over Rs 70,000 crores from selling horses? If nothing, could not the government have immediately slapped a disproportionate assets case in addition to money laundering and launched criminal prosecution against him?

The government did no such thing. Why not? Very simply, and bluntly, because the Congress Party is most likely involved with Hassan Ali and has used his kind services to park its funds illegally abroad. That is why Mukherjee must defend Hassan Ali. This is a serious charge but the circumstantial evidence to justify it is overwhelming. Readers might recall that on May 3, 2010 it was pointed out in these columns that Hassan Ali held a secret meeting with Congress politicians including the Political Secretary to the Congress President. This was stated in the Maharashtra assembly by the opposition and subsequently confirmed after investigation by the state police. The question was posed: “During his interaction with Hassan Ali was (Congress Political Secretary) Ahmed Patel representing himself or his boss, (Congress President) Sonia Gandhi? If he was representing himself why has Sonia Gandhi not sacked him? If he was representing the Congress President how does Sonia Gandhi explain her party’s links with the nation’s biggest money launderer who is being protected by the Finance Minister?”

There was no response in word or deed to the question raised. It is fair to infer therefore that Ahmed Patel was not acting singularly but representing his boss, Sonia Gandhi. What other conclusion can one draw but that the Congress is guilty and the government is doing everything to protect its partner in crime, Hassan Ali? Today the Congress presents a strange picture. It reminds one of a sinking ship in which the captain, the first mate and the second mate all hate each other. However because the ship is sinking, fear binds them all. Let Pranab Mukherjee know. All the half truths, the obfuscation and the bluster will not prevent the Congress ship from sinking. Its day is done. Smart Congress leaders should learn from rats. They should desert the ship before they sink with it.

Constitution has devided hindus in different class, Side effect are many but hindus will still manouvour tough task because they are the root of all religion , How can root roght It will show the light, The fair skeened were beggers and with inventions they survived but today they are bankcrupt And India will show them the way Not even china will be ther where India is and will be, Sonia isindias destiny she will make money but India will become wise,Sonia will go chidambaram will meet his time like karunakaran who said ram was engeeneer for setu, This tamilnadu filmi dancing politicians will always be mad for lady and money will always behave like that only They do not make leader owners but are good as head clarkes

ramesh07/15/2011

Will this be Sonia Gandhis' Watergate? Will Rahul Mom and Family all be leaving soon for a special home in Italy.... Is the Gandhi Dynasty going to finally wither away? My sense is they will even survive this. Why such a strong cover up by the congress - Answers are clearly warranted!

Savage lair04/09/2011

Egypt has shown the way. Throw the corrupt rullers into the Arabian sea.THE SOONER THE BETTER

anil02/16/2011

The amount of loot by political leaders, some of the beurocrats and people with money and power seems much more than what was plundered by outsiders in early history of India.Corruption has entered every walk of life thanks to the leaders leading the country.The so called leaders ensure the poor and uneducated remain so by their policies and and action.People have to raise NOW forgetting religion, caste etc before it is too late.There are many individuals and NGOs who are doing a good job in their level and capacities and if these could be unified for a common objective.

mani sg02/01/2011

Tunisia.Egypt. And similar African countries.Now it is time for India and Indians to throw out the Congress and similar corrupt Politicians/political parties who rule by corrupt means.

Nachiappan02/01/2011

Is India beyond redemption now?

Sonia and the KkKkangress are the very fount of corrution.

the NCP and Sharad Pawar are brazen looters of the public.

Mayawati, Laloo and Ram Vilas Paswan are close on their heels.

The Tamil parties DMK, AIADMK etc are too awful to contemplate.

The Communists are thoroughly discredited everywhere.

Navin Pattanaik, Nitish Kumar and the BJP are the only ones with some measure of uprightness and they don't have pwer at the centre...yet.

seadog422701/28/2011

Recently a senior advocate had made a statement in the electronic media that MR. Hassan Ali 's meeting with senior congress leaders who are close to the people at the top was videoed. If that has happened/ or true how can one expect some thing to happen To Mr.Hassan ali?